Chapter 37 Scouting

" So this is the infamous River Thames."

Tove and Bo were sent as the scout force leader for the upcoming battle. In the southern hemisphere, River Thames was a natural barrier that could disable most advanced armies from marching but it wasn't like there wasn't a way out.

" The heat will do the trick. We have to finish the war before water fills the basin."

Bo who lived most of his life near the mountains knew how rivers worked. His eyes could spot the dried spots but that didn't mean it would stay like this forever.

" Surrey would be most ideal territory to have a war. Their army might be powerful but it is much better than Essex and Sussex where we have to face ships and naval battles."

Essex and Sussex were the neighboring territories of Kent with strong naval forces and natural defensive terrains, marking them hard campaigns for the Vikings and the knights.

" We have to crush the Surrey army before their allies arrive here."

Bo believed they could crush them with their current manpower but there always would be variables in the battle. Hence, without scouting the area and creating a strategy would send them to Valhalla.

" We will use the hills to our advantage. Surely, they wouldn't notice us if we divided our forces by ten people and crossed the riverbed.

As for siege weapons, dismantle them and carry them on the carriages to avoid people's eyes."

Surrey was surrounded by the hills and it was a territory with a natural defensive advantage but that would only apply to a prepared army.

Giving the enemy to position themselves would be a foolish move. Thus, they were planning to utilize their speed while minimizing their need for large-scale siege weapons.

" What about their defensive areas?"

Tove looked at the guide with a calm face while taking out a leather map from his chest. He then placed it on the dry stone, signaling the guide to mark it.

" There are two places to be careful. First is Guildford where you will see the heart of territory. This town serves as an important logistic point for the territory.

Next will be Farnham with a fortified castle and a considerable amount of soldiers. If we take these two castles, we will conquer this entire territory which would lead us to Sussex."

Bo smiled at his words, marking two castles with red dye while stroking his chin to ponder where to set their camp since this place provided only so many places to advance.

He took out his ruler which was invented by Halfdan who centralized the measuring standard. He carefully placed the ruler to draw lines that could help him to take a gist of the terrains.

" That way is a little bumpy, my lord. This is better."

The guide corrected his mistakes, suggesting better routes for their campaign as both men meticulously crafted routes for logistics while Tove instructed his men to capture some fish from shallow river water.

" Foraging seems to be a little difficult in this place but fishing is fine. However, it won't sustain 1000 men for a long time."

Tove rubbed his temple with stress, thinking of ways to solve food problems. He didn't think rations would be problematic for a short time but he had to take things into consideration.

Meanwhile in Wales.

Welsh men fastened their belts while Magnus and Freyja stood before them with a poker face. They simply looked at their faces, acknowledging their strength and courage to leave for another territory despite their families.

Not many can leave their loved ones behind their backs while fighting for others in alien land.

" Squire Bedivere is here."

Bedivere saluted to Magnus as the duo smiled kindly toward his naive face. Unlike before he was wearing excellent armor with Welsh Dukedom insignia on its chest to tell others where he belonged.

Perhaps, Grace promoted him to be able to carry his family name and certainly, it suited him as his eyes shone brighter than the stars.

" Journey will be rough, child. You will shed blood and tears for others and your territory. Are you prepared?"

Bedivere flinched at Magnus's remark but he quickly regained his sense as he tapped his sword hilt to show his conviction.